China’s rise as a global energy powerhouse has been fueled, in part, by its growing appetite for natural gas. Over the past 15 years, pipelines from Central Asia, Russia, and Myanmar have transformed from a footnote to a cornerstone of its energy mix. Today, they deliver roughly 18% of China’s natural gas supply—a figure that’s set to grow. Let’s dive into the history of these pipelines, their contributions, the trade relationships they’ve fostered, and what the next five years might hold for China’s energy security. The Pipeline Pioneers: A Brief History China imports natural gas through three major pipeline systems, each with its own timeline and quirks. Central Asia Gas Pipeline (CAGP): The Early Giant Spanning Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, the CAGP kicked off with Line A in 2009, followed by Line B in 2010 and Line C in 2014. With a combined capacity of 55 billion cubic meters per year (bcm/year), it’s been a workhorse. Line D, promising another 30 bcm/year,...